Re: Ada 0Y plans for garbage collection?

[Martin Krischik <krischik@users.sourceforge.net>]

Jano wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I'm very happy using Ada but when one needs to use heap-allocated
> objects and unchecked deallocation it becomes tiresome rapidly, and that
> leaving aside memory leaks.

I feel the same.
 
> After some time using Java/.NET or other managed languages this becomes
> rapidly a great pain if you are in the less real time constrained
> environments. I was wondering if there are plans to add a standard
> garbage collection mechanism to the next revision of Ada. Seeing where
> are going things this seems almost a necessity if Ada has to keep
> current with times.

Right.

> Can someone comment on this? Are there plans to mandate it in 0Y?

I heard rumors but never found any hard facts.

Also take a look at s-parame.ads file which came with your GNAT:

   ----------------------------------------------
   -- Behavior of Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only --
   ----------------------------------------------

   --  Garbage_Collected is a Boolean constant whose value indicates the
   --  effect of the pragma Finalize_Storage_Entry on a controlled type.

   --    Garbage_Collected = False

   --      The system releases all storage on program termination only,
   --      but not other garbage collection occurs, so finalization calls
   --      are ommitted only for outer level onjects can be omitted if
   --      pragma Finalize_Storage_Only is used.

   --    Garbage_Collected = True

   --      The system provides full garbage collection, so it is never
   --      necessary to release storage for controlled objects for which
   --      a pragma Finalize_Storage_Only is used.

   Garbage_Collected : constant Boolean := False;
   --  The storage mode for this system (release on program exit)

I take it there are plans. Just not finished yet. So don't give up.

> As a
> side note, is out there any public implementation of GC for Ada 95?

Yes there is: http://adacl.sourceforge.net

Also read:

http://adacl.sourceforge.net/gc.html

With Regards

Martin

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